Medical Marijuana Product Utilization Patterns and Preferences in the Treatment of Anxiety in Pennsylvania

Background: Medical Marijuana (MM) is a qualifying condition for the treatment of anxiety in Pennsylvania. This study analyzed MM products purchases and preferences at baseline and after 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months after enrollment in the study for anti-anxiety treatment.

Methods: The observational study was composed of 116 subjects referred for MM use for anxiety and enrolled in a 12-month longitudinal study involving the treatment of MM with products containing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and limonene. The percentage of THC, CBD, and limonene and routes of administration of these products were collected at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months mark. Product information was collected through the state seed-to-sale MM tracking system.

Results: Products purchased by participants contained average 27% THC, 3.28% CBD, and 0.73% limonene at baseline compared to 33.13% THC (significant increase, p ≤ 0.05), 1.64% CBD (significant decrease, p ≤ 0.05), and 0.88% (no significant change) limonene in the products used by them at 12 months. In terms of routes of administration of MM products purchased by patients were: 4.83% concentrates, 18.4% flower, 22.17% infused (e.g., capsules, tinctures, troches), 9.80% topical, 34.54% vape, and 10.26% used other products at baseline. The purchase (utilization) of MM products at 12 months were: 8.20% concentrate, 23.21% flower, 20.07% infused, 6.63% topical, 38.05% vape, and 3.84% used other MM products.

Conclusions: We observed an increase in the concentration of THC in cannabis products utilized by users compared to CBD and limonene from baseline to 12 months. Patients exhibited a higher preference for vape products as a route of administration compared to other MM products. This could be due to ease of use and immediate relief of anxiety by vape products among patients for anti-anxiety effects.